Laser

Purchased at the NY Bike Show about 1983/84: Columbus AIR decal on seat tube.  Laser number 33 but frame is stamped 45.

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Laser

Mr. Andrea Pesenti (right) attended the last L'Eroica and brought along one of the special Laser bikes that he built in 1986. This version has front and rear suspension.

In the book Cinelli, The Art and Design of the Bicycle, there is a photo of the time trial version of this bike noting that equipped  with solid tires "it was just about rideable-though professionals who tried, including big Eos Poli, refused to use it in competition!"

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Laser Collection

From an incredible collection in Taipei, see http://wearefactoryfive.com/blogs/factory-five-blog/19055655-the-worlds-most-amazing-collection-of-bicycles

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Laser Crono Strada

Serial number S24, said t be 1985.

This model pictured in catalog here.

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Antonio Colombo with Laser

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1985 Milan Bike Show, Cinelli display

Photographed at the 1985 Milan Bike Show. The first is a photograph of a Cinelli bike I've never seen before.

Photo, used by permission, by Jim Merz. Jim Merz, framebuilder of Merz Mfg (1970s to 1982) in Portland, Oregon, maintains a Facebook page here.

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David Flores Cinelli Laser Print

$100; Limited edition, 20x16 signed and numbered giclee print by David Flores.

Order details here.

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Laser

My thanks to Matteo who wrote in with, "I wanted to share with you this wonder that with great pleasure that I brought back to Italy from Russia. I still have to fix some details.  Speaking with Antonio Colombo it seems that they they built four blue and two white frames with Columbus MAX fork and stem for the national USSR team. The two whites were used at the Olympic Games in Seoul (along with the two others with handlebar and stem) and the four blue ones were used in training." 

I would be smiling also if I had those!

By the way, this is photo we had previously posted showing a USSR national team member using one of these types of Lasers (a handlebar broke):

 
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Laser Nostra Prototype, Part II

Part I

More from Cinelli about the Laser Nostra Protoype being auctioned by Sotheby (http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/null-n09014/lot.28.html):


Limited Edition Prototype Laser Nostra Cinelli bicycle set to go under the hammer at Jony & Marc’s (RED) Auction on November 23rd

Two of the world’s foremost design pioneers, Sir Jonathan Ive, KBE, and Marc Newson, CBE, have collaborated with musician and philanthropist Bono to organize a (RED) Auction celebrating the very best of design and innovation. Jony and Marc have spent the past year and a half curating the collection, which comprises objects from disciplines as diverse as space travel and lighting design to contemporary art and rare automobiles, all unified and distinguished by their excellence and innovation. Proceeds from the 23 November 2013 sale at Sotheby’s New York will benefit The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The auction will feature icons of design selected by Jony and Marc, including a Cinelli Prototype “Laser Nostra” bicycle, singed by Cinelli President and bicycle designer, Antonio Colombo. This stunning, limited- edition bicycle was ridden to victory in a major competition: in 2011, American Rider Neil Bezdek won the Red Hook Criterium in Milan, the most famous fixed-gear competition in the world, riding this Laser Nostra prototype. The design of Cinelli’s Laser was ground-breaking at the time of its release in 1980.

Made to address a singular problem - making its rider the fastest on the track - it reflects the intense collaboration between designer Antonio Colombo and a team that included a frame builder, engineer, physiologists, coaches, and numerous champion riders. This prototype, with its famous Columbus Niobium steel tube and featuring a unique carbon fork, was created in 2011 for a special anniversary edition of 21 Laser bicycles released in 2012. This bicycle has been customised with old and new Columbus stickers.

"It's been a thrilling journey for Jony and me to curate this collection of pieces that celebrate extraordinary design that we love, that transcends all boundaries of time and place. Each object and the process of creating it conveys a rich set of human values, so it seems fitting that they should be auctioned with a different sense of human value in mind, to raise as much as possible to help people's lives today," said Marc Newson. “We'd like to thank our partners for their sincere generosity and for giving so gladly and willingly.”

The (RED) Auction collection goes on public exhibition at Sotheby’s New York beginning November, 18th.

Learn more about the second (RED) Auction through our Twitter hashtag #REDatSothebys



Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Laser Nostra Prototype

This is the Laser "Nostra" prototype being auctioned at Sotheby; see http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/null-n09014/lot.28.html

For the record, the auction states:
A PROTOTYPE "LASER NOSTRA" BICYCLE

Signed by Cinelli President and bicycle designer Antonio Colombo for the (RED) Auction 2013.
Columbus Niobium steel and carbon fork
44 1/2  x 65 1/2  x 6 3/8  inches (175 x 105 x 25 cm)
Net weight: 16.5lbs (7.5 kg)
Produced by Cinelli, Italy (a division of Gruppo S.p.A.)

The Laser "Nostra" was the very limited edition Laser in steel that became available in 2011. Some detailed photos of the display bike here in Cinelli Only. These were made by the framebuilder of the original Lasers, Andrea Pesenti.

addendum of November 6th: the Sotheby auction has been updated with this, correct, photo of the Nostra being auctioned:

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Cinelli Laser, Now in Carbon

The Cinelli Laser, the full carbon version, is now available as the "Laser Mia".

From the website:

The Laser, Cinelli icon, thanks to the work of the Laser Team is now a carbon jewel. All Made in Italy through a sophisticated wrapping technique of the carbon elements that are further processed, it is possible to build a custom frame of only 890g. All the elements identifying the Laser are maintained: the fin under the bottom bracket, the fittings of the joints and the passage of the rear wheel housed in the seat tube.

• The cable routing is fully internal for both mechanical and electronic groups.
• The rear aluminum CNC dropouts sandwich wrap the central carbon part fully integrated to the rear stays.
• A proper anodized aluminum cap positioned under the fin of the bottom bracket allows easy access for routing the shift cables.
• Head tube 1 "1/8 and BSA bottom bracket

For comparison here is a built-up Laser Mia compared to a 1980s steel Laser:

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

New Cinelli Laser is in........Carbon! "Laser Viva"

Yes, the newest version of the iconic Cinelli Laser is in carbon and is named the "Laser Viva" (above, click on image to enlarge). Coming in 2013.

More recently  Mr. Andrea Pesenti, the builder of the original Lasers, was involved in the creation of a small limited edition of steel Lasers ("Laser Nostra", see here). Now, Mr. Pesenti has been involved as well in the carbon creation named the Laser Viva which is said to have the same "look and feel". Photo of the limited edition "Laser Nostra", September 2011:

The Cinelli Viva is entered in the Bike MOTION Benelux Awards competition and Cinelli would like votes for it. If you wish to vote go here and this is the translated information you will need: - Surname - First Name - Choose: woman (Mevrouw)/man (Meneer) - Street + nr - Telephone nr - Email (used to contact for prizes) - Vote for the Cinelli Laser Viva 2013 ! I'd be remiss in not pointing out that a DeRosa 888 is also in the road category.

 I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. Thanks for stopping by. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Laser, "Fully Aerodynamic Bicycle"

Undated photo courtesy of reader Jan.


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The Laser is back....

Click on image to enlarge.


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1984 Cinelli Laser Evolution

Text from ebay sale:
"59cm
Campagnolo Pista Gruppo
Cinelli gear
Regina chain
Cinelli saddle
Cinelli clipless pedals (first ones)
Vittoria 15mm tubular tires. These are new and NOT GLUED.
Vittori/Campagnolo discs
Cinelli LA84 handlebar
Cinelli Design stem (note the stem angle is parallel to the top tube)

Note the only significant flaw is the minor defects on either side of the stem/headset interface from the bars flopping excessively side to side. Please see the stem photos.

Limited to 300 Lasers were produced, and all were custom. In 1984, the UCI decreed that aerodynamic modifications were not allowed, that is wheel covers, etc., and that aero features must be an integral part of the bicycle design and function.
Cinelli was the first manufacturer to incorporate the "Aero" concept into a production bike and the result was the Laser.

This 1984 Cinelli Laser Evolution was custom made by hand by Andrea Pesenti, designed by Antonio Colombo, and engineered by Paolo Erzegovesi for Lothar Thoms who is considered to be the greatest track kilo time trialist ever. In addition to his world and Olympic titles, his Olympic victory in 1980 was achieved in a time of 1:02.955, which through 1990 stood as the fastest time ever recorded. His victory margin in that stunning performance was almost two seconds – the most dominant victory ever in the Olympics. In addition to his Olympic gold medal, he won the World Kilometer Time Trial Championship four times between 1977 and 1981. After handily winning gold in the 1980 Olympics, which the US boycotted over the Soviet invasion of Afganistan, Lothar Thoms (GDR) had his sights set on the 1984 Olympics to be held in LA. It was not to be as the entire eastern bloc boycotted and the East German Kilo specialist and his custom Cinelli stayed home. The bike he had Cinelli build for the Olympics was quite special. Build of Columbus MS (multi-shape) tubing, the Laser embodies a synergistic integration of design and engineering into a work of art. This bike was professionally restored in 2003. Laser ~ Multi-shaped tube sections, webbed joints (no plastic filler in this one) the extended aero fin beneath the bottom bracket, sloping top tube and no-headset. The handlebars, fork and frame are integrated by a dual set of roller and needle bearings that engage into the head tube when the stem is tightened. Cinelli Laser Track Frames were limited to 300, and released in the 1980s. Each original model was built by hand by Andrea Pesenti, designed by Antonio Colombo, and engineered by Paolo Erzegovesi.
Specifications: 59cm ct., Campagnolo Pista Gruppo, Cinelli gear, Regina chain, Cinelli saddle, Cinelli clipless pedals (first ones), Vittoria 15mm tubular tires, Vittori/Campagnolo discs, Cinelli LA84 handlebar, Cinelli Design stem (note the stem angle is parallel to the top tube.

In 1948, a good professional racer with 15 years pedaling experience in the legs and the geniality in mechanics, decides to make use of his brilliant intuitions developed during the many miles run on every type of road surface, it’s Cino Cinelli. Some may remember him for his cycling career, many for his great gifts given to cycling, the modern handlebar, the first saddle with a plastic frame, the first foot clips, the first quick release pedals.
30 years later, in 1978, Cino handed the company over to a young entrepreneur in the steel tube industry with the bicycle at heart: Antonio Colombo.
His interpretation is different, perhaps more visionary, the eye sees beyond the present. So the company is transformed and the inventions of the “design made in Cinelli” begin to get known all over the world. The bicycle changes, or better, the vision of the bike changes. The bike is seen as total project. Laser is born, the lugs are abandoned and TIG welding is introduced in the frame. Furthermore it is the only Italian bicycle to win a Compasso d'Oro (1991) besides more than 28 gold medals in various Olympic games and World Championships. Competition is always in the Cinelli’s DNA. Its handlebars are chosen by Champions such as Lemond, Fignon, Hinault and Chiappucci, without forgetting Lance Armstrong and Mario Cipollini and also Di Luca, Freire and Simoni. Cinelli’s Rampichino (1985) introduce MTB in Italy, Cork Ribbon (1987) reinvents the bicycle ribbon, Spinaci extensions (1996) are used by over 800,000 cyclists, Bootleg (2000) challenges the rules and reinvents the concept of street cycling, Ram (2002) revolutions the handlebars. These are the roots of Cinelli, this is its present: today Cinelli is mentioned in the Dictionary of Italian Design (Rizzoli, 1999), in the ADI Design Index (2000-2001), and the Corriere della Sera newspaper calls it a cult object in the USA like Ferrari, Vespa, Lavazza or Fornasetti (9th January 1999).

Since 1997 Cinelli is a division of Gruppo Srl and together with Colombus forms a world recognized production pole in the top level cycling industry. Gruppo’s factory is based in Caleppio di Settala, 10km east of Milan. The new 18.000 m2 complex includes sales and accounts offices, products development, engineering, production and warehouse. GRUPPO SRL - Div. Cinelli Via G.Di Vittorio 21 20090 Caleppio di Settala (MI) tel +39.02.95244.1 fax +39.02.95244.239 p.iva 12007070159 c.fiscale 05096580153

Rumor has it that Cinelli will re-introduce the LASER in 2012."


Click on photos to enlarge.

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Cinelli Laser Nuova Evoluzione 1989

Photos courtesy of www.velospace.org

Click on photo to enlarge.

I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

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Cinelli Laser

From a current ebay auction:
"CINELLI LASER ROAD TIME TRIAL BIKE

I purchased this bike in Milan, Italy in May of 1986 at the Cinelli factory showroom. Several measurements were taken, and options discussed thru an interpretor.

Purchase price was 4,000,000.00 Lira plus freight and VAT.

I had previously seen the Track version at the '84 Olympic games at the Velodrome in LA. and I knew I had to get one for myself.

In 1984, the UCI decreed that aerodynamic modifications were not allowed, ie wheel covers, etc., and that aero features must be an integral part of the bicycle design and function.

Cinelli was the first manufacturer to incorporate the "Aero" concept into a production bike and the result was the Laser. Cinelli utilized the sloping top tube, 26" front wheel, ovalized frame joints, bullhorn bars, carbon fiber wheels, and several other design elements to increase aerodynamic efficiency. These core design elements are still used by most of the top aero manufacturers, except that carbon fiber is now the material of choice for the frame and several key components that give dramatic gains in total weight vs. the steel version.

The Laser was the Formula One of bicycles in the mid-eighties and retains a "cool" factor that very few bikes will attain. Just Google the Laser for more history.

My Laser was raced in several State Championships as well as in the Senior Nationals. It was never wrecked or abused. It has been in air conditioned storage it's whole life.

SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME: THE FRAME IS IN MINT CONDITION, NO DENTS OR COROSION. THE PAINT IS ORIGINAL AND SOLID. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE PAINT BEGAN TO "CRAZE" AND IS STARTING TO SHOW THE UNDERCOAT THRU THE TOP COAT. THIS IS EVIDENT ONLY UPON CLOSE INSPECTION AND TO THE CASUAL EYE THE FRAME STILL SHOWS THE ORIGINAL BEAUTIFUL CINELLI BLUE. THERE ARE A FEW NICKS AND SCRATCHES FROM TRAVEL AND HANDLING, BUT THE DECALS ARE PERFECT EXCEPT FOR THE COLUMBUS SLX DECAL. MEASUREMENTS FOLLOW.

TOP TUBE: 57.5cm CENTER TO CENTER

SEAT TUBE: 57.5cm CENTER TO TOP

DOWN TUBE: 59.5cm CENTER TO CENTER

CHAINSTAY: 37.5cm CENTER TO CENTER

WHEELBASE: 93.5cm CENTER TO CENTER

COMPONENTS

CRANKSET: CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD, 42/53 CHAINRINGS, 175mm CRANKARMS

BOTTOM BRACKET: CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD

FRONT DERAILLEUR: BRAZE-ON CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD

REAR DERAILLEUR: CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD

SHIFT LEVERS: BRAZE-ON CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD

FREEWHEEL: REGINA CX 5 SPEED 12-16T

CHAIN: REGINA CX

WHEELS: CINELLI CARBON FIBER WITH CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD HUBS 700C REAR, 26" FRONT

TIRES: VITTORIA CHRONOMETRO CX CORSA, FRONT AND REAR

SEATPOST: CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD

SEATRPOST PIN: CAMPAGNOLO

SADDLE: CINELLI VELARE SLX WITH BOX PATTERN LEATHER IN OFF-WHITE

HANDLEBAR: CINELLI LA 84, SIZE 62-42 WITH MATCHING HANDSTICHED BOX PATTERN LEATHER, OFF-WHITE WITH CHROME CINELLI END PLUGS

STEM: CINELLI 1A

BRAKES: CAMPAGNOLO C RECORD WITH CINELLI BLUE CABLE HOUSING

SPARE FRONT WHEEL: CAMPAGNOLO RECORD 24H LOW FLANGE HUB WITH HOSHI BLADED SPOKES IN A RADIAL PATTERN WITH AN ULTRA RARE ASSOS BLACK AERO RIM AND CUSTOM TIRE THAT HOLDS AIR BUT NEEDS REPLACEMENT FOR ROAD USE.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY! ERIC HEIDEN'S 86 TOUR DE FRANCE LASER TT IS NOW IN THE BICYCLING HALL OF FAME AND THIS LASER IS A NEAR DUPLICATE OF HIS, EXCEPTING THAT THIS BIKE HAS THE FACTORY CINELLI DISC WHEELS.

MY LASER IS IN ORIGINAL MINT CONDITION. THE FACTORY INSTALLED COMPONENTS ARE ALL ORIGINAL AND IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. NO MODIFICATIONS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE, AND THE PAINT IS FACTORY ORIGINAL AND UNTOUCHED OR TOUCHED-UP. THE TIRES ARE FACTORY ORIGINAL AND STILL HOLD 6 BAR PREASURE.

THE LASER IS READY TO RACE, BUT IS TOO VALUABLE TO RISK. IT'S PRIME FUNCTION IS PROBABLY TO HANG ON SOMEBODY'S WALL AS AN INCREDIBLY COOL PIECE OF ITALIAN ART."

From Q&A: "As to the serial number, it is not visible. Refering again to the photo on my google search, ie. "Cinelli Only", the photo of the Laser being readied for re-paint shows the serial number that was buried under the thick undercoat. I won't grind the paint away just to get the number. But rest assured, it is there.



I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

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I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Cinelli Laser 2012 London Olympics Concept

My thanks to Yann Lewandowski for writing in about his 3D project in which he conceptualizes a re-issue of the Cinelli Laser for the 2012 London Olympics. The concept is based upon, "A carbon made frameset inspired by the geometry of the classic one but update to track racing of our days".

Stunning.

You can find more photos and a description of the project here.

Which reminds me that I need to follow-up on the status of Cinelli's plans to re-issue the Laser.

Click on photos to enlarge.

I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

Thanks for stopping by.

I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com